UNDERSTANDING COVENANT AS A SPIRITUAL RESPONSIBILITY:COVENANT RESPONSIBILITY IS SACRIFICIAL

As we proceed with this teaching, you must know that covenant responsibility is sacrificial.

You need to see that the responsibility of keeping the covenant demands that you are ready to pay the great price it requires. If it was not sacrificial, everyone would be in it.

II Sam 7:7

In all the places wherein I have walked with all the children of Israel spake I a word with any of the tribes [rulers] of Israel, whom I commanded to feed my people Israel, saying, Why build ye not me an house of cedar?

In response to this ruler, God did a rewind, and looked back at all the rulers He had called to judge and lead Israel. They were called and commanded to lead His people; yet He did not place on them the burden of building Him a house.

Brethren, I pray that you will not abuse this grace.

God may not speak to anyone else in your household- parents or siblings. When He chooses you for the responsibility, and you find yourself asking, ‘why me?’ understand that He has chosen you because He knows that you can carry what the others cannot carry. He has seen that the others lack the strength and tenacity to pay the full cost.

Many have also been called into ministry by God, but they were not called to access the mysteries of His Word in the way He reveals it to this commission. That is why you cannot afford to take Him for granted.

When David spoke about building a house for God, he expressed it as his desire. Now, God is revealing that it was He who put the burden in his heart. Others did not see the need because God did not command them; David had the burden because he heard His voice.

I pray that you will hear His voice, and when you do, you will not harden your hearts. When a man hardens his heart, God will find someone else to do the work.

When God commands you to do something, and others call it ‘too much’, rejoice, for that is the beginning of your destiny journey.

If you have not done TOO MUCH, you are yet to start destiny...

God called David ‘a man after my own heart’. If you are called in that spirit, behold, this is the picture of your life.

I Chr 29:1-3

Furthermore David the king said unto all the congregation, Solomon my son, whom alone God hath chosen, is yet young and tender, and the work is great: for the palace is not for man, but for the LORD God.

Brethren, there are many who have been called by God, but are still young and tender. Their lives are still a far cry from the divine reality of God for them.

You know that you are yet young and tender when you fall under the slightest pressure, if you are easily offended, discouraged, when the things of God are not given highest priority in your life...

As a spiritual father, what I see in many of you does not agree with what I see from God concerning you.

The vision is great, but the man is still young and tender.

Yet, like David, God has chosen me to raise him.

While the chosen is yet young and tender, his assignment is great. What then is to be done?

Now I have prepared with all my might for the house of my God the gold for things to be made of gold, and the silver for things of silver, and the brass for things of brass, the iron for things of iron, and wood for things of wood; onyx stones, and stones to be set, glistering stones, and of divers colours, and all manner of precious stones, and marble stones in abundance. Moreover, because I have set my affection to the house of my God, I have of mine own proper good, of gold and silver, which I have given to the house of my God, over and above all that I have prepared for the holy house.

Now I have prepared with all my might...

In order to ensure that the great assignment is carried out, in spite of the yet tender nature of the called, someone has to make this sacrifice-prepare with all his might.

...the gold for things to be made of gold

The man preparing the things is not the one to use them. He has been called to prepare them for the man who is yet young and tender. Waiting for the tender one to grow before the preparation will frustrate the assignment.

I teach and pray with all my might, not because of me, but in order to prepare for you, the things you need to fulfil your assignment.

If David was not to build the house, why then did God speak to him about it? Why did God not wait to speak to Solomon about it?

David’s assignment was not to build the house, but to prepare for its building.

There are things that I cannot do, fast and pray as I may. Yet, God gives me access to mysteries of His Word, because I have been called to give the recipe, tools and materials to you for the great work.

This means that God is not just about your great assignment. He sees that you are still distracted- young and tender.

He therefore looks for the man who will give you the tools to do the work.

Moreover, because I have set my affection to the house of my God, I have of mine own proper good, of gold and silver, which I have given to the house of my God, over and above all that I have prepared for the holy house.

Brethren, your affection will determine your possession.

Many times in my wilderness journey, it was necessary to find consolation in the Word of God concerning my experiences. Scripture such as ‘as poor, yet making many rich...’ (II Cor 6:10) were regular references.

When you are a son of consolation unto God, it means that you have become a source of rejoicing in His time of sorrow. When He is grieved about what He sees, and you become the vessel through which people see the true God as their Maker, you become a son of consolation (Acts 4: 36).

This can only happen if your affection is for the right things [for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also (Matt 6:21)]. If you desire it from the depth of your heart, you will definitely get it.

Besides, in my devotion to the temple of my God I now give my personal treasures of gold and silver...over and above everything I have provided for this holy temple

(v3) (NIV)

The level of a man’s affection for God will determine how far he is willing to go for Him.

David had already prepared the gold meant for the house of God- the gold for the things of gold (v2). Yet, he went further; ‘moreover’ gives us the picture. He was not just giving God the things prepared for God; he was also giving up for God, the things prepared for him (David).

What you do and give is determined by the depth of your love for God. The measure of your love determines the measure of your sacrifice.

Many still remain at the Old Testament tithe-is-ten-percent level of giving. In the New Testament however, you measure how deep your love is for God, and give accordingly.

David gave his personal treasures over and above what he had already provided for the work. His measure of love could not allow him to do any less...

God did not give the command for His house to any of the other rulers because none of them had the depth of love that was found in David.

A man after God’s heart will give what he has prepared for God, and what God has prepared for him.

What you do with God’s covenant over your life reflects the depth of your love for Him. This also determines the depth of what you receive from Him. Christians suffer from shallowness of knowledge, power and wealth because God cannot trust them with these things.

He has not found the heart that will pay the price and give over and above for His work.

Col 3: 1-2

If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

Set your love on things that are above- where Christ sits. It is not enough to say ‘I love Jesus’; you must know, and seek all the things that are found around Him.

Love the things around Him. How can I love Jesus and lack the power, wisdom, strength, understanding...that are found in Him?

Many pray; many give; many love; many are humble.

But there are those of us, who pray and pray; we give and we give; we love and we love; we humble ourselves, and humble ourselves.

We go over and above.

Now, it is not enough to love the grace of God upon my life, and desire to be close to me; go further, and seek all that is of God around me.

Brethren, do not just go after the call of God. Understand that it is a responsibility, and is sacrificial.

Others can watch what they want; sleep when, and as long as they like; eat what they want, when they want; but the covenant will make demands of you...you have to pay the price.

If you still wonder why you seem to have it harder than others, now you have the answer. When His covenant is upon you, it is destructive. Many things will be cut off, and die in and around you.

If you have been called to build a house for God, and your partner still young and tender, do not be discouraged.

Set your heart on the things around Christ. Love and seek the power, the fire, and the wisdom...all that is around Him.

Pro 21:30

There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the LORD. (NIV)

No wisdom- application- insight or plan has the capacity to negate the counsel of God for your life. When the wicked think they know what is going on around you, and seek to use that insight against you, they will be frustrated because they do not have what it takes to negate God’s plan.

Your responsibility is to passionately seek all that is around Christ; seek wisdom to frustrate their wisdom; seek power to destroy their power; seek insight to frustrate their revelations; seek His counsel to overturn their counsel.

PRAYER POINTS

In the name of Jesus,

My Father, please load me with Your fresh fire and power.

Father, help me to not abuse this grace.

Father, I call the fire in the presence of Jesus into my life.

Any insight of darkness against my life; I scatter and destroy you by fire.

UNDERSTANDING COVENANT AS A SPIRITUAL RESPONSIBILITY:COVENANT IS PROGRESSIVE

PASTOR’S CORNER

UNDERSTANDING COVENANT AS A SPIRITUAL RESPONSIBILITY:

COVENANT IS PROGRESSIVE

REFERENCES: DEUTERONOMY 5:3-4, HEBREWS 8: 6, HEBREWS 6: 7-8

It is important to understand that covenant is progressive. When God moves, you must move as well.

What God revealed to Abraham after he gave Isaac was different from what He revealed when He received animals as offerings from him.

This is why you should not give God the same offering you gave the year before. To give the same offering means that you are not moving with the covenant.

When He revealed Himself to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, it was as God Almighty. However, to Moses, the seed (descendant) of Abraham, He revealed Himself as Jehovah.

This means that you are supposed to go beyond your fathers- in knowledge, understanding of mysteries, and in covenant...This is why you are exposed to mysteries in His Word.

It is thus a sad reality when people read the works of the past generals of God, and function at that same level. Did you ever think that those men and women of God would have remained at that level if they were still alive? No, they would have gone deeper and higher! Therefore we must also function at a higher capacity.

Do not read such books and stay there. Go deeper; move higher.

Deut 5:3-4

The LORD made not this covenant with our fathers, but with us, even us, who are all of us here alive this day.

Moses is saying to the people, ‘God is revealing these things to those of us who are alive today. Abraham is not here this day, so this was not revealed to him.’

The LORD talked with you face to face in the mount out of the midst of the fire, (I stood between the LORD and you at that time, to shew you the word of the LORD: for ye were afraid by reason of the fire, and went not up into the mount;)

God spoke to them out of the midst of the fire to establish His covenant with them. Sadly, the people were unwilling to hear Him from the fire. ‘Moses, you go and hear from Him,’ they said.

It is still God’s desire today to speak directly to all His children. Sadly, just as the people in the days of Moses, many Christians would rather make gods of pastors and prophets than hear from God themselves.

And so, Moses stood between the people and God. From there, he showed, not told them the Word of God. There is a difference between telling and showing. Telling is information; showing is revelation.

Now, when God wants to establish a covenant with you, He will begin to show you new things- about your life and about Himself. Be sensitive to note these revelations.

When Abraham got to Canaan, he paid for his land of abode, as well as the place of burial for himself and his wife. Yet, God had given the land to him and his descendant. This shows the progressive nature of covenant.

There are many things that have been revealed to you, that you need to work out. That is why you need to hear Him- He can speak through His Word or through your dreams. This is to make you prosper-expand and increase- in the covenant.

Heb 8: 6

But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.

The ministry of Christ, in comparison to the ministries of others, is more excellent.

All that happened through Abraham and Moses were excellent, but Christ surpasses them. This means you must also excel more than your parents.

Pay attention to this picture. This is especially if you have been called into ministry.

Jesus has a better ministry because He is an agent of a better covenant; the covenant, in turn, was established on better, deeper promises.

So, every ministry is based on a covenant, and every covenant is based on promises.

What does this mean for the Christian?

The evil power brought into your household was based on a covenant. If you will overcome it, and be better than the high priest that brought it in, what you need is a better covenant.

Sadly, many Christians are too much in a hurry. They desire to prosper, but do not know that prosperity- in life and ministry- is based on a better covenant, which in turn, is based on deeper promises.

The man, who lives his life according to the agreement between himself and God, will always have something to say. This however, requires that he always fellowships with God. He cannot claim to have a covenant with God when he lacks the Word.

Your ministry cannot be better than your covenant, and your covenant cannot be better than the promises upon which it is established.

If you therefore desire a better covenant, you need deeper revelation about the Word. You need to go deeper than the progenitors in Christ. When you study their works, you must ask yourself: how do I build on this?

Heb 6:7-9

For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God:

Just as you are God’s temple, you are also His husbandry. What this means is that God blesses you, so that others can be blessed through you. So, first you are blessed, and then you become a blessing.

Now, before the earth drinks the rain, the farmer ploughs the land and cultivates it.

This is the purpose of education: to cultivate your mind in preparation for the rain.

The purpose of the rain is to make the seed grow and thus makes the land fruitful to those who cultivate it.

The man who has the seed of God in him needs a man with the rain. They need each other.

As a minister, all I need is to pray for the hearts of men that have cultivated by God. When you are brought to me, I provide the rain. As I speak, my words water your heart; you come in to drink the rain, and bear fruit.

As you are blessed, it is inevitable that you become a blessing as well.

But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned.

However, the person who fails to bear fruits, after all the rain, and instead bears thorns and briers of malice, immorality, and stiff-necked lifestyle, is rejected- good only to be burnt.

But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak.

Having given the picture of the fruitful and thorny lands, the writer reveals the mind of God: when a man receives salvation, better things will accompany the first man- salvation.

Now, revelation brings persuasion. The writer is saying, ‘we have looked at you, and seeing that you have salvation, we are persuaded that favour, mercy, prosperity, greatness, fruitfulness, abundance...also follow you.

Brethren, I am persuaded that these things also follow you. It does not matter what you are going through. You bemoan your fate because you do not know. I roar because I have this persuasion. As long as you have salvation, all these other things also follow. The question to ask you is: are you born again?

If this is the mind of God, why then do some hearts produce thorns and briers?

Ps 92:7-8

When the wicked spring as the grass, and when all the workers of iniquity do flourish; it is that they shall be destroyed for ever: But thou, LORD, art most high for evermore.

Consider this picture carefully.

When a man receives salvation, all the other things follow. However, the wicked will rise to hinder them. This is why many Christians struggle in certain areas of their lives; the wicked has risen to frustrate joy, strength, prosperity...in their lives.

However such power rises only so that it will be destroyed forever. This is the mind of God. They must fall because, while they rise from beneath, God, your God, is most high forever.

Your responsibility is to enter into a better covenant with God, based on deeper, better promises. As you walk in that agreement, you are assured that you will enjoy a better life.

PRAYER POINTS

In the name of Jesus,

Higher power of God, possess me now.

Whatever is springing up against all that God has called to follow me; I destroy you by fire.

Any ancestral thing springing up to stop what God has called to follow me; I destroy you by fire.

UNDERSTANDING COVENANT AS A SPIRITUAL RESPONSIBILITY:COVENANT DEMANDS CLARITY OF PURPOSE

PASTOR’S CORNER

UNDERSTANDING COVENANT AS A SPIRITUAL RESPONSIBILITY:

COVENANT DEMANDS CLARITY OF PURPOSE

REFERENCES: ACTS 11:22-23, I CORINTHIANS 6: 2-4, ISAIAH 56:3-4, 5-7

Covenant demands clarity of purpose. This means that you must understand the purpose of the covenant and walk in the clarity of that purpose. Without this, abuse of the covenant, and the grace of God, is inevitable.

Abraham was called in un-circumcision and commanded to circumcise himself for a purpose: so that he would be the father of both the un-circumcision and the circumcision. Yet, without the clarity of this purpose, he must have been baffled at the commandment for him to circumcise himself at such an old age.

It is a responsibility to know why: the purpose for this ministry, why God brought you here, the reason for the covenant...Remember that when purpose is not understood, abuse is inevitable.

Acts 11:22-23

Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch. Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad

Take note of the underlined portion. Barnabas saw the grace of God in the gentile Church and he was glad. But that was not all...

Whenever I see the grace of God upon the life of anyone- as evidenced by their fruit- I ask the question: what is it for? Why does he minister so powerfully in songs? Why is she so hungry for the word of God?

Like Barnabas, I understand that the grace is for a purpose. The bible says that the grace of God teaches (Tit 2:11-12). The question then is: what is the grace teaching?

Today, many have abused and perverted the grace because they have not taken the time to seek its purpose.

...and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.

Praise, worship, study, prayer, service, giving... do all these with purpose of heart, and cleave to Him.

If the cleaving of a man and woman makes them one flesh, what then will cleaving to the Word of God mean? If you judge this right, you will understand that you cannot be anything other than a wonder when you become one with the One who is Wonderful.

Cleaving to God with purpose of heart...

A man who cleaves to Him with purpose of heart will not struggle to stay awake while His word is being taught. He will not be distracted by multitude of activities; he will not seek the words of man; he will not remain in a place where God has departed from; he will not give out of pity or for the praise of men; he will not be deterred from the presence of God by the state of the weather. His deeds will be determined by purpose of heart.

I Cor 6: 2-4

Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?

Why do we teach warfare, spiritual things, marriage, finance, reigning in life as kings and priests? W hat is the purpose of the teachings?

We teach the Word in order to equip you with the constitution- the divine law- with which to judge all matters; small or great.

Is it not sad that today, the church is being influenced (whoever influences you has already judged you) by the world? The church now looks to the world for direction on how to dress, teach, handle marriages, encourage her congregation, order her programmes...the latest term is ‘google it’.

We set worldly people over God’s people because they speak eloquently, exude charisma, and display wealth and talents.

Yet, the Church- the saints of God-are appointed to judge the world! It is our responsibility to teach them how to live.

Sadly, we still struggle to judge the smallest matters:

‘My wife won’t respect me’

‘My husband is being unreasonable’

‘Recession is affecting my business. There is no money anywhere’

...are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?

God is asking: do you lack the mental, spiritual, emotional capacity to judge such matters? When you struggle to judge matters in your household, how will judge the world outside?

Know ye not that we shall judge angels?

This is why you must not be weighed down by irrelevant matters: strivings, offences, financial challenges, the vicissitudes of life...

You are expected to execute judgement on angels in the heavenly places. Therefore, you must not permit anyone or anything to keep you bogged down in the earthly realm.

You can only judge angels- discerning between the angels of God, and satanic angels transformed- by the Word. Many Christians have been misdirected in destiny by encounters with false angels appearing as angels of light, because they could not judge according to the divine constitution.

...how much more things that pertain to this life?

The things that pertain to this life: conquering household powers, squashing evil oppositions, achieving good success in every area of life... these are what God calls the smallest matters.

Operating in this capacity is a function of how you measure: the depth of your vision of God. That is why you must cleave to the LORD, for he who walks with the wise shall be wise. Your level of power, wisdom and faith will reflect whether or not you think like God.

You will not tolerate mediocrity if you measure yourself as the son of the Most Excellency; you will not speak nonsense if you see yourself as the offspring of He in whom the excellency of wisdom and knowledge dwells.

You have been given the capacity to judge: first, the things that pertain to this life, and then, angels.

Isa 56:3-4, 5-7

Neither let the son of the stranger, that hath joined himself to the LORD, speak, saying, The LORD hath utterly separated me from his people:

This is you in the Word. The Lord spoke about you many thousands of years ago. Isaiah saw the revelation, that there are people who are coming join themselves to the Lord. When they do, they must enjoy everything that Israel carries. It must not be said they were excluded from the commonwealth of Israel.

This means that as many as cleave unto the Lord, from wherever they may come from, are partakers of all that the great ministers of God carry. It means that whatever I carry is yours to carry as well.

...neither let the eunuch say, Behold, I am a dry tree.

A eunuch is anyone who lacks potency. To such, the Omnipotent is saying, ‘do not call yourself a dry tree, because when you cleave to Me; when you become one spirit with Me, potency is restored to every part of your life.’

Now, others-doctors, prophets, family members, society- may call you impotent, but you must not say so. They speak from a place of shallow knowledge but you know better- that the Omnipotent is in you. Therefore, your confession must always be

I AM NOT DRY. I AM FULL OF POTENCY.

Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the LORD, to serve him, and to love the name of the LORD, to be his servants, every one that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant;

These promises do not belong to all strangers. They are only for those that have joined themselves to God: to serve Him; to love His name, and BE His servant. These ones are also covenant carriers.

The purpose of their hearts is revealed in their doings in His house. They will not seek Him only when it is convenient or expedient. They will revere His Name, love His Word and treat His house with the same love and fear.

Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people.

God promises to bring these ones to the place where holiness is the uncompromising standard.

There, He will surprise them.

He will cast off the load of sorrow they were afflicted with.

There on His holy mountain, as they pray, He will make them- set in motion the process of making them- joyful.

Outside His holy mountain, their sacrifices and offering were wasted. Not anymore. On His altar, these will become accepted offerings.

When you cleave to God with purpose of heart, He leads you to His holy place.

There on His holy mountain, you gain access to all that is yours in Him.

There, you receive power to judge the matters of your life, the world, and angels.

Begin today to judge by His Word.

Begin today to prove the devil wrong- that you are not dry.

PRAYER POINTS

In the name of Jesus,

My Father, I submit my whole life to Your purpose.

My life, cleave to God with purpose of heart.

I receive power to judge the things that pertain to this life

Every attack of the wicked, bringing sorrow to my life; hear the judgement of the Lord. I waste you by fire.

Every attack of the wicked, against the affairs of my life, hear the judgement of the Lord. I scatter and destroy you by fire.

You forces of darkness, attacking my life, to make me sorrowful; I destroy you by fire now.

Whatsoever is turning things upside down against my life; I judge you now. I waste you by fire.

Any power that makes me a stranger to God’s blessings (power, fire, favour, peace, joy), I destroy you by fire.

I am a part of God’s blessing.

I receive power to judge angels.

You angels of darkness, working against my life; I judge you by fire. Be wasted.

UNDERSTANDING COVENANT AS A SPIRITUAL RESPONSIBILITY:ASSESSING THE CAPACITY FOR COVENANT RESPONSIBILITY

PASTOR’S CORNER

UNDERSTANDING COVENANT AS A SPIRITUAL RESPONSIBILITY:

ASSESSING THE CAPACITY FOR COVENANT RESPONSIBILITY

REFERENCES: MATTHEW 10: 5-6, ACTS 22: 21, I THESSALONIANS 2: 14-18

Every covenant is an assignment that demands spiritual responsibility. The good news is that God will not give you an assignment without the capacity to carry it out, as no one gives an assignment without providing relevant training.

It is therefore not enough to be carried away by visions and elaborate dreams.

It is the responsibility of the one that is called to seek the mental and spiritual capacity for his or her assignment.

Matt 10: 5-6

These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

You must be sensitive to go only when, and to where He commands you to go. Whatever He has called you to be, you must be sensitive to walk according to His command. Do not move until He commands you.

The same Lord who declared that He had given them power over serpents, scorpions and all the power of the enemy (Lk 10:19), was charging them not to go beyond the cities of Israel.

He knew that they did not have sufficient power to enter the gentile world...

When you are called by God, you need empowerment in every area of life for the assignment. An attempt to carry out your assignment without adequate capacity will lead to defeat, or even worse, death.

When God gave Peter a vision concerning his ministry to the Gentiles, there was a force telling him to refuse the offer of his Lord.

Brethren, you must know that there are strange powers in your household and your world that are on a mission to stop you from carrying out your assignment. These powers are saying ‘Not so’ to your assignment.

Acts 22: 21

And he said unto me, Depart: for I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles.

The same Lord who forbade the 12 from going to the gentiles, is now commanding Paul to go to them.

I Thess 2: 14-18

For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews:

This portion of the scripture gives a picture of our lives as Christians who have been called to carry the Word and power of God to our households.

Paul reveals that the gentile church also suffered in the hands of their countrymen, as their Jewish brethren did in the hands of their fellow Jews.

Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men:

Brethren, do not be carried away by your assignment, because there are personalities in every household who kill their own prophets. They bring down the one sent by God to help them and lead them into deliverance. These ones are against everyone; it would not matter how generous or helpful you are...they are against all men.

You must therefore acquire the capacity to be responsible in your assignment, so that you do not fall victim of such personalities.

Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved

Note that Paul, the writer, was sent to these people by God. Yet, the wicked sought to forbid him.

Powers of darkness seek to forbid any man sent to put an end to the captivity that has reigned over his household.

For instance, when a man desires to help his people out of poverty, these evil personalities will attack his finances in order to forbid him from continuing in his assignment. Every effort of his will be frustrated because their mission is to make sure that nothing he does works.

When the enemy wants to forbid a man, he makes him fall into error in the area of his assignment. Thus, whenever he considers the depth of his error, he falters in speech.

to fill up their sins alway:

For every man sent by God, there is a power sent by the devil to forbid him.

Christ died to save the gentiles, but He needs you to go and preach salvation to them. The enemy seeks to forbid you because he desires that the people remain in their sins.

for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost.

This is the key to dealing with such powers. Like Paul, you have a responsibility to invoke the wrath of God upon them.

But we, brethren, being taken from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavoured the more abundantly to see your face with great desire.

Brethren, this is a serious matter.

First the devil took Peter away from his assignment. Now, the same enemy took Paul away from the Thessalonians!

Suddenly realising that evil powers had been on assignment to forbid them, Paul and the others worked harder to return to the Thessalonians, in order see and preach to them again...

Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us.

Paul, especially tried over and over again to return to them. But the devil, that had been taken unawares at the first, was not about to let them in again.

This time, satan himself hindered them.

In like manner, many Christians have been taken away from their destinies by wicked powers. When we see many falling away from the faith, waning in holiness and prayer, it is because there are powers forbidding them from continuing in their assignments.

Brethren, do not be caught off guard. Understand now that there are powers sent to forbid and hinder your calling.

You therefore need to access capacity to carry out your covenant responsibility. Then, you can deal with the powers forbidding you from your divine assignment.

Abraham had to offer up Isaac in order for him (Isaac) to get the capacity to always conquer Ishmael. This shows that you must be ready to pay the price, in discipline, holiness, time, sacrifices...to access the capacity for covenant responsibility.

PRAYER POINTS

In the name of Jesus,

My Father, I hand over my life You for fresh empowerment.

Fire of God, empower my soul.

Any wicked power forbidding my assignment, I waste you by fire.

Any wicked (marine, ancestral, territorial) power, evil covenant, judgement, curse or spell, rising up to forbid my assignment in the Lord, you are liars. Today, I crush you all by fire.

Every force of darkness working tirelessly to frustrate my destiny;I destroy you all by fire.

Any power on assignment to terminate my life; I waste you by fire.

Any power working tirelessly to forbid me in my assignment; hear the judgement of the Lord upon you by fire.